Los Angeles Burglary Attorney

Being charged and convicted of burglary can have severe long-term consequences. You’ll be looking certainly at fines, probably at probation, and maybe at jail time. It will impact your ability to get a job. Personal relationships can be damaged.

Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Douglas Miranda has more than a decade of experience handling a variety of criminal cases including a number of burglary cases. He has built a reputation as one of the savviest and most tenacious criminal defense attorneys in southern California. If you’re charged with burglary, call a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer with the Miranda Rights Law Firm and get legal help immediately, because you’re going to need it.

WHEN YOU NEED LEGAL HELP FAST

Legally speaking, burglary and robbery are considered two different crimes. Burglary usually is breaking and entering surreptitiously into a building or residence with the intent to commit a crime. Robbery is more frequently a crime with a selected victim, and it more often involves weapons or violence. Likewise, burglary and breaking and entering are also very different. To commit burglary, you do not have to actually break anything to gain entrance to the house. Burglary can be committed by simply walking through an unlocked door or climbing through an unlocked window. Although this constitutes burglary, it does not constitute breaking and entering.

But make no mistake. A conviction for either crime can send the accused to a state prison, and if you’re charged with either crime, you need legal help fast. Attorney Douglas Miranda knows how to undermine a prosecutor’s burglary case and raise doubt in the minds of jurors. A burglary charge requires an immediate and aggressive response from an experienced criminal defense attorney. If you need an experienced Los Angeles burglary attorney to defend you against a burglary accusation, contact the Miranda Rights Law Firm as quickly as possible.

BURGLARY LAW AND PENALTIES

California law divides burglary crimes into either first degree or second degree charges. If you are convicted of either one of these crimes, you may face serious consequences that will affect you for the rest of your life.

First degree burglary is any burglary that takes place at a residence, while second degree burglary takes place at any building that is not a residence, which is why it is sometimes referred to as commercial burglary. Under California law, a residence is defined as an inhabited house, boat, room within an inhabited house, floating home, trailer coach, hotel or motel room.

Inhabited means that someone is currently using the structures listed above as a residence, even if the residents are not home at the time of the crime. If the residents have moved out with no intention to return, then this is not considered an inhabited residence. That is, unless the residents left because of a natural disaster or other extenuating circumstances. In these cases, the building would still be considered an inhabited structure.

First degree burglary is always a felony charge in California, so the consequences are severe. If you are convicted of first degree burglary, you may face formal probation, a fine of up to $10,000 and up to six years in state prison. First degree burglary also counts as a strike against you towards your three strikes, meaning you could be one step closer to facing a life sentence in prison.

Although second degree burglary carries less severe penalties, it is still nothing to be taken lightly. Second degree burglary is considered a wobbler, which means it can be charged as either a felony or misdemeanor. The decision of whether to charge this crime as a felony or misdemeanor is up to the prosecutor and may depend on your prior criminal record and the circumstances surrounding your case. If you are convicted of a felony second degree burglary charge, you may face felony probation, up to three years in county jail and a fine of up to $10,000. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor second degree burglary charge, you may face misdemeanor probation, up to one year in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

Besides these legal penalties, you may also find it difficult to find employment, since many employers will be hesitant to hire someone with a burglary conviction on their record. Friends and family may turn their backs on you after you have been charged or convicted. The consequences of a burglary conviction extend far beyond what you will receive in court.

If you are convicted of burglary or any other criminal charges, call an experienced Los Angeles burglary defense attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

THE ELEMENT OF INTENT

Intent is crucial to a burglary charge. The legal definition of burglary includes the element of intent, meaning you did not commit burglary if you did not have the intent to commit a crime while breaking into the building. The timing of intent is also crucial. You must have had the intent to commit a crime while you were breaking into the building, not after you were already inside.

One legal defense that may apply to your case is mistake of fact, which is related to the element of intent. Mistake of fact means you entered into someone’s home or commercial establishment in order to take back something that you believe belonged to you or you believed you had permission to take the item.

An experienced Los Angeles burglary attorney may be able to work with you to prove that you had no intent of committing a crime. Without intent, a jury cannot convict you of burglary, so this is essential to your case. Don’t hesitate to contact one of our criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible if you are criminally charged. Defense lawyers can also offer representation and legal advice to clients who are being investigated and interviewed by police.

DON’T WAIT TO CONTACT US

After examining the details of your case, Los Angeles burglary attorney, Douglas Miranda will explain your legal options and work to develop the most effective possible defense on your behalf. At the Miranda Rights Law Firm, we take our responsibility to our clients seriously, and we want to put our experience to work for you. To schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Los Angeles burglary attorney, contact us today. Send an email, or call 213-255-5838. Se habla español.

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Client Testimonials

I hired Douglas Miranda to represent my son who was facing a 50 to life sentence for attempted murder and after almost a year of fighting my sons case Mr. Miranda got my son a great deal. Both my wife and I are very grateful that our son will not be in prison for the rest of his life. Mr. Miranda was very professional and his staff very polite, they always answered whatever questions I had and Mr. Miranda always returned my calls promptly.

J.V. Homicide Case

I was facing jail time because of a third violation of probation due to a DUI and Mr. Miranda was able to get the judge to let me do AA meetings instead and when I finished them and Mr. Miranda presented them to the judge he dismissed my case. I’m so grateful because of my immigration status I didn’t want to go to jail and possibly face deportation.

J.M.V. Probation Violation Case

Our son got into some trouble last year and was arrested. He was looking at some serious charges so we called the law office of Douglas Miranda and retained his services. We are glad that we did because our son was facing 30+ years in a state penitentiary and Mr. Miranda got him such an amazing deal that we could not even believe it. Our son will be coming home sooner than any of us would have anticipated.

R.O.

Earlier this year I was arrested and my cousin retained the services of Douglas Miranda, instead of me getting sentenced to prison for 8 years, as the crime that I committed required, I got probation and was let got. I am very happy with this outcome because i get to be home with my family thanks to Mr. Miranda. I honestly recommend his services to anyone who needs legal help.

M.R.P.

My son was facing a lengthy mandatory state prison sentence and has an extensive criminal history, which did not help him. I hired Mr. Miranda and he immediately started working on his case. Instead of my son going to prison for his crime, Mr. Miranda got the judge to sentence my son, not to state prison but to a rehabilitation center. When I heard the judge read the sentencing, I could not help but be brought to tears. I am forever thankful to Mr. Miranda and his staff for helping me with my son.

R.N.

I had the misfortune of dating the wrong kind of guy, and for being naïve it almost cost me a life sentence in prison because I was associated with him. I have 4 children all under the age of 10 and the thought of having to see them through prison visits is unbearable. My mother hired Douglas Miranda to fight my case and fought he did. He got the charged that was making me face life dismissed and from there he was able to get me probation. I was released a few days later and I got to go home to my children. Thank you Mr. Miranda for fighting my case and for bringing a mother home to her children.

C.H.

My family hired the Miranda Rights Law Firm to represent me with the charges that were brought upon me and I am grateful that they did. Douglas Miranda, my attorney visited me many times in jail and answered all of my questions. When my case went to trial he got me a hung jury. 10 days later the DA dismissed all of the charges against me and I was set free. Thank you Mr. Miranda for all that you did for me.

D.C.

I have never been in trouble with the law, and when I was attacked, I was the one who ended up with charges of assault. So I hired the law offices of Douglas Miranda and he was able to prove to the jury that I had acted in self-defense and was acquitted of all charges. Mr. Miranda is very professional and knows how to win. I wish you the best of luck Mr. Miranda.

M.S. Assault & Battery Case

Last year I was charged with domestic violence so I retained the services of the Miranda Rights Law Firm. The charges brought against me were a misdemeanor and because of my job I could not have that on my record. Mr. Miranda was able to get me off with an infraction and this incident was dismissed. If you are looking for an attorney that will fight for you, then Douglas Miranda and his law firm Miranda Rights Law Firm is where you want to go.

M.B. Domestic Violence Case

I was arrested for petty theft and the judge wanted to lock me up. Mr. Miranda got the judge to agree to probation and community service instead. I’m very happy with the outcome of my case and Mr. Miranda’s services. I am glad that he fought hard to keep me out of jail. I am also grateful to his staff who answered all of my questions about my community service and my probation.

S.M. Petty Theft Case

There are no words to thank Douglas Miranda for his hard work. I was facing serious jail time because I was accused of resisting arrest. The date that trail was supposed to start, Douglas got me off with an infraction, disturbing the peace.

A.O. Resisting Arrest Case

My daughter was charged with theft and I called the offices of Mr. Miranda, right from the start he was very understanding and he explained to me all the details of the case. After months of him fighting for my daughter, I have to say that I am very happy with the outcome. He got the charges dismissed. This is awesome news for my daughter because she wants to be a doctor, and with this outcome that is still possible.

E.C.B. Theft Case

I had an arrest warrant and a violation of probation hearing, and was going to go to jail. Mr. Miranda argued that it would be a hardship to my mother because of her health problems, and because I am the provider. He got the judge to simply reinstate my probation and I am now back, at work thanks to him. Thank You So Much Mr. Miranda!!!!

R.S. Arrest Warrant Case

When I was charged with 6 counts of rape, by a family member, Mr. Miranda was the only one who believed in me. He was very professional when he handled my case and he explained everything to me. I was innocent and Mr. Miranda proved it in court. After 6 days of jury trial I was finally acquitted of all charges. He is the best in his game, I truly and honestly recommend him to anyone needing legal assistance.

M.R. Rape Defense Case

Our son got into some trouble last year and was arrested. He was looking at some serious charges so we called the law office of Douglas Miranda and retained his services. We are glad that we did because our son was facing 30+ years in a state penitentiary and Mr. Miranda got him such an amazing deal that we could not even believe it. Our son will be coming home sooner than any of us would have anticipated.

R.O.

Earlier this year I was arrested and my cousin retained the services of Douglas Miranda, instead of me getting sentenced to prison for 8 years, as the crime that I committed required, I got probation and was let go. I am very happy with this outcome because i get to be home with my family thanks to Mr. Miranda. I honestly recommend his services to anyone who needs legal help.

M.R.P

My son was facing a lengthy mandatory state prison sentence and has an extensive criminal history, which did not help him. I hired Mr. Miranda and he immediately started working on his case. Instead of my son going to prison for his crime, Mr. Miranda got the judge to sentence my son, not to state prison but to a rehabilitation center. When I heard the judge read the sentencing, I could not help but be brought to tears. I am forever thankful to Mr. Miranda and his staff for helping me with my son.

R.N

I had the misfortune of dating the wrong kind of guy, and for being naïve it almost cost me a life sentence in prison because I was associated with him. I have 4 children all under the age of 10 and the thought of having to see them through prison visits is unbearable. My mother hired Douglas Miranda to fight my case and fought he did. He got the charged that was making me face life dismissed and from there he was able to get me probation. I was released a few days later and I got to go home to my children. Thank you Mr. Miranda for fighting my case and for bringing a mother home to her children.

C.H.

My family hired the Miranda Rights Law Firm to represent me with the charges that were brought upon me and I am grateful that they did. Douglas Miranda, my attorney visited me many times in jail and answered all of my questions. When my case went to trial he got me a hung jury. 10 days later the DA dismissed all of the charges against me and I was set free. Thank you Mr. Miranda for all that you did for me.

D.C.

I have never been in trouble with the law, and when I was attacked, I was the one who ended up with charges of assault. So I hired the law offices of Douglas Miranda and he was able to prove to the jury that I had acted in self-defense and was acquitted of all charges. Mr. Miranda is very professional and knows how to win. I wish you the best of luck Mr. Miranda.

M.S. Assault Case

Last year I was charged with domestic violence so I retained the services of the Miranda Rights Law Firm. The charges brought against me were a misdemeanor and because of my job I could not have that on my record. Mr. Miranda was able to get me off with an infraction and this incident was dismissed. If you are looking for an attorney that will fight for you, then Douglas Miranda and his law firm Miranda Rights Law Firm is where you want to go.

M.B. Domestic Violence Case

I was arrested for petty theft and the judge wanted to lock me up. Mr. Miranda got the judge to agree to probation and community service instead. I’m very happy with the outcome of my case and Mr. Miranda’s services. I am glad that he fought hard to keep me out of jail. I am also grateful to his staff who answered all of my questions about my community service and my probation.

S.M. Petty Theft Case

There are no words to thank Douglas Miranda for his hard work. I was facing serious jail time because I was accused of resisting arrest. The date that trail was supposed to start, Douglas got me off with an infraction, disturbing the peace.

A.O. Resisting Arrest Case

My daughter was charged with theft and I called the offices of Mr. Miranda, right from the start he was very understanding and he explained to me all the details of the case. After months of him fighting for my daughter, I have to say that I am very happy with the outcome. He got the charges dismissed. This is awesome news for my daughter because she wants to be a doctor, and with this outcome that is still possible.

E.C.B. Theft Case

I had an arrest warrant and a violation of probation hearing, and was going to go to jail. Mr. Miranda argued that it would be a hardship to my mother because of her health problems, and because I am the provider. He got the judge to simply reinstate my probation and I am now back, at work thanks to him. Thank You So Much Mr. Miranda!!!!

R.S. Violation of Probation Case

When I was charged with 6 counts of rape, by a family member, Mr. Miranda was the only one who believed in me. He was very professional when he handled my case and he explained everything to me. I was innocent and Mr. Miranda proved it in court. After 6 days of jury trial I was finally acquitted of all charges. He is the best in his game, I truly and honestly recommend him to anyone needing legal assistance